Foodie Phenomenon dineL.A. Is Back and Better Than Ever

Kebab with hummus, one of 10 dishes being showcased during Summer dineL.A. (Photo by Dylan + Jeni)

For the past decade, dineL.A.—which finds nearly 400 of the county’s top restaurants offering prix fixe lunch and dinner specials twice a year—has been helping curious foodies explore Los Angeles’ culinary scene. And dineL.A. director Stacey Sun has shepherded the program since its beginning. This month, from July 13-27, dineL.A. continues celebrating its 10th anniversary by showcasing 10 dishes that have been integral to L.A. dining experiences throughout the past 10 years, including steak, pasta, kebab with hummus, and chirashi. The program’s summer roster features a crop of exciting new restaurants, as well as veterans like Mélisse, Border Grill and James Beard Award winners Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s Lucques and A.O.C.

And summer is the perfect time to check them out. “There is a special feeling in the air when summer rolls around, which makes you want to text your girlfriends to plan a group outing at a new restaurant or head out for date night on the patio by the beach,” says Sun. Below, she shares which newcomers to the program she’s most excited about and why.

189 BY DOMINIQUE ANSEL
“Dominique Ansel is most known for his Cronut, and now he has opened up his first full-service restaurant at the Grove… This is a showstopper of a space and meal. Plus, you can grab a Cronut on your way out in the bakery downstairs.” 189 The Grove Drive, L.A., 323.602.0096, dominiqueansella.com

BÄCO MERCAT
“If you haven’t tried a Bäco sandwich yet, head to downtown L.A. to try chef Josef Centeno’s flatbread creation. He also has a knack for vegetables, which makes this a very vegetarian-friendly destination.” 408 S. Main St., downtown, 213.687.8808, bacomercat.com

DUCK HOUSE RESTAURANT
“I’m a huge fan of Peking duck, and this restaurant specializes in this dish. It’s a good excuse to head out to the San Gabriel Valley for a meal.” 501 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, 626.284.3227, duckshouse.com

NATIVE
“Nyesha Arrington’s latest restaurant is the perfect spot for a very farm-to-table dining experience. And the covered patio is the perfect place for a summer date night.” 620 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite A, Santa Monica, 310.458.4427, eatnative.la

PACIFIC DINING CAR
“This 97-year-old restaurant in downtown L.A. is an institution, and its dineL.A. lunch is an excellent value. You can have a crab cake, PDC hamburger and a hot fudge brownie sundae for $25.” 1310 W. 6th St., downtown, 213.483.6000, pacificdiningcar.com